Observing Report: Solar Eclipse 10/14/2023

[StarBru]

Here in Casa Grande, Arizona we saw only a partial eclipse. I set up my telescopes that have solar filters on my Twilight II mount: my 80mm f/5 ST refractor and 120mm f/8.3 reflector.
Eyepieces: 4000 Series 40mm and 26mm Meade Super Plossl and 8.8mm UWA, 27mm StarGuider Flat-Field, and TeleVue 10mm Radian.

Two of our granddaughters, ages 2 and 3, and our pregnant daughter (due any time now), came over to see the eclipse. Our granddaughters looked through Solar Viewer cards from Thousand Oaks Optical and our older granddaughter actually was able to look through the eyepiece! My daughter and wife and I took turns looking through each telescope and my daughter snapped a photo on her I-phone through the eyepiece. To make a long story short, the Meade 40mm and 26mm eyepieces gave the most pleasing and sharpest views through each telescope: 10x and 15x respectively through the 80mm, 25x and 38x through the 120mm. Everyone agreed the perfect view was through the reflector at 25x. At one point, the moon looked like it had a tall tower on it as it transversed a large sunspot!

Update: My daughter and her boyfriend left for the hospital a few minutes ago, that boy is ready to be born! My wife and I are watching our granddaughters. It's going to be a long night!
Anyway, here are some pics:

[Bigzmey]

Nice family eclipse outing Bruce! And your daughter going in labor on the same day, what are the odds? They should call the baby Eclipse.

Is that Meade 80ST on the left with GSO focuser? I am using the same model as my solar scope.

[StarBru]

Nice family eclipse outing Bruce! And your daughter going in labor on the same day, what are the odds? They should call the baby Eclipse.

Is that Meade 80ST on the left with GSO focuser? I am using the same model as my solar scope.

Thanks, Bigzmey. We had a fun day, but we weren't ready for our daughter to go into labor today! We still haven't heard word if she had the baby, and our granddaughters are wearing us out!

Yes, I remember your Meade 80ST solar scope from some of your posts! Lunt had a sale on their Dual speed Crayford focusers a couple of years ago and I couldn't resist! They look similar to the GSO's, but the Lunt is not as easily rotatable as the GSO's are. If I remember correctly, an Allen wrench is needed for 1, maybe 3 screws. But still, it's way better than the original!

[Ylem]

Sounds like you had a great day Bruce! Nice pics

[Lady Fraktor]

A good report and hoping mom and the new grandchild are well and healthy.

[helicon]

Nice report Bruce and congratulations on the new addition to the family! Congratulations on attaining the VROD for the day along with Shelby. For the first time we have co-winners!

[messier 111]

fine report , congrat on the vrod , thx .

[Ylem]

Congratulations on the well deserved VROD Bruce!

[Bigzmey]

Nice family eclipse outing Bruce! And your daughter going in labor on the same day, what are the odds? They should call the baby Eclipse.

Is that Meade 80ST on the left with GSO focuser? I am using the same model as my solar scope.

Thanks, Bigzmey. We had a fun day, but we weren't ready for our daughter to go into labor today! We still haven't heard word if she had the baby, and our granddaughters are wearing us out!

Yes, I remember your Meade 80ST solar scope from some of your posts! Lunt had a sale on their Dual speed Crayford focusers a couple of years ago and I couldn't resist! They look similar to the GSO's, but the Lunt is not as easily rotatable as the GSO's are. If I remember correctly, an Allen wrench is needed for 1, maybe 3 screws. But still, it's way better than the original!

I believe I got my focuser from Lunt on the same sale as yours. GSO makes focusers for a few companies, including Lunt.

I hope you daughter has/had a save and smooth delivery!

[StarBru]

Thanks, everyone! I am so happy to receive the VROD along with Shelby! I read Shelby's report and it was an enjoyable and well written report, a joy to read!

We just got back from a 2 hour visit from the hospital. Our daughter delivered a 22 inch long, 9 pound 6 ounce boy last night at 2230. His face was bruised quite a bit from his face resting on the pelvic bone, but he is recovering well along with his mother! Our two young granddaughters enjoyed meeting their baby brother and reuniting with their parents for the time we were there. And of course, we are the proudest of grandparents!

[StarBru]

Nice family eclipse outing Bruce! And your daughter going in labor on the same day, what are the odds? They should call the baby Eclipse.

I believe I got my focuser from Lunt on the same sale as yours. GSO makes focusers for a few companies, including Lunt.

I hope you daughter has/had a save and smooth delivery!

They are still undecided on his name, although I mentioned Eclipse and they laughed!

That's right, I think you were the one who posted about the sale, and I thank you once again!

She and the baby are recovering well, thank you!

[OzEclipse]

Hi Bruce,

Great report and experience. Congratulations on the VROD.

Joe

[John Baars]

Always a nice experience, together with you grandchildren. Thanks for you report, You've got nice granddaughters!
Congratulations on the VROD!